Companies work closely with wildlife agency

Mr. Mark Smith recently submitted a One View column regarding mining and wildlife ["Realize mining impacts on state," Dec. 31]. Despite Mr. Smith's claims, mining has an active working relationship with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and other state and federal agencies to ensure minimal effects on wildlife.

Contrary to Smith's many generalities, all Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments include wildlife provisions, and revenues from mining-specific permits generate roughly $250,000 per year to fund NDOW biologists and conduct on-the-ground improvements.

We agree with Mr. Smith on the continued elimination of historic hollow claim posts, which threaten certain nesting birds. The industry supported legislation to prevent hollow claim use and all new markers since 1993 have been solid. The industry partnered with the Audubon Society in 2009 to pass legislation managing the remaining historic hollow posts and various mining companies contributed tens of thousands of dollars to assist.

Mining's operational footprint in Nevada totals less than 150,000 of the state's almost 71 million acres, just .2 percent of all Nevada land. With that said, mining and other activities, such as construction, recreational development and infrastructure growth, can impact wildlife and we must all work to minimize impacts.